Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-08
OLD RANKIN'S GAL. /
Written for this paper. /


spring planting on his newly acquired Florida
plantation. But his northern experience had
not fitted him for travelling the obscure ways
by courtesy called roads in Florida. Every.
where they 60 winding through the pine for.
ests, simple wagon tracks that turn out around
stumps and fallen timber, and often become
lost to the Impractical eye in the wiry grass.
The occasional roads that intersect the one
Travelled do not help, but rather confuse and
bewilder, tlss stranger. It IL not to be won
dered at, therefore, that Craddock missed his
way, or that his efforts to find It again should
only carry him farther away from his desti.
nation and equally 30 from his home.
Already the heat and glare Of the day had
given place to q cooling breeze, and the
shadows we're deepening In the forest, when
he found himself on the edge OF clearing in
the center Of which stood q rude cabin. As
he rode up to the fence inclosing the prem
Uses, he was greeted by q chorus of savage
barks from the III looking ours that came
forth from under the house. At the same
time the cabin door opened and a man as Ill
favored a. his dogs came out-a lank, cadav.
erous individual. coarsely dressed. with a
SLOUGH bat that half hid his evil looking face.
There was a sinister gleam in his eye when he
saw bis caller, but he called out, with awk.
ward attempt at cordial greeting:
"EveniL', strangeri Won't 70 dismountT
u am stranger In this part Of the couu.
try" replied Craddock, "and In trying to
reach Disstons have lost my way. Could you
cot me rightr
"Wall. mister, 70 are long way from
Distonh Hits good fifteen mile over Won
TO bis patch" indicating tho direction with
jerk OF bis thumb, land ye'd hsv mighty no.
time a-gitttn' thar to-night'
This ives unwelcome news to Crsddock.
but realising that be must accept the dtua.
ton, he said:
"Then ] am afraid I shall have to ask you
TO keep ne all night"
Again The evil light danced In tho Orscker,s
eyes, and. a II conscious OF the fact, he drew
his hat down farther over his face "A he
answered carelessly:
Job. ye kin stay hyar, ef that's what We
drivin' at, mister. This hyar amt no eret
shakes for keepin' folkses, but we'uns has a
heap O. corn cakes and bacon, Of ye kin 70
that fodder"
The offer was accepted, and entering the
house Craddock found himself in room Of
medium size, on one side Of which was a large
fireplace, and OIL the opposite side two doors,
which he could see led to small sleepine
rooms Another door in the rear lei to a
rude cook house. In one corner a rude lad
der led to the loft above
A woman sat huddled before the fire when
the men entered, but she immediately arose.
and was leaving the room without speaking
when the host addressed her.
@S'mantby, this hyar strangers goin' ter
stay byar all night. Git him sum supper"
Without . word the woman disappeared in
the direction OF the cook room, where pres
emily he heard voices in earnest conversation.
A few moments later young girl of 10
entered and began setting the rude table. She
was pale, sad faced creature, and Craddock
felt strangely interested in her Occasionally
she cast furtive glance at him, and was an
exceedingly long time performing the simple
duties. Evidently she had something OH her
mind, but Craddock concluded that it was
f'mplv girlish curiosity. and gave her no
more need.
Presently the III looking host, who had
lighted his pipe, strolled out, remarking some
thing about looking after the "critters," but
he had scarcely got beyond the clearing than
the girl darted toward Craddock, and in al
excited whisper cried.
sinister, git outen this, quick. This hyar
are robbers house! This are Rankinses!!,
Rankin's! He had heard Of it. Dark tales
were told Of how travellers had here been
robbed, and, it was believed, sometimes muir.
dered, but Rankin and his gang had thus far
escaped the clutches Of the law And now
here be was, in the power Of these lawless
men, with no way Of escape open to him.
But he would not show fear before this child. |
and he was about to reply lightly, when foot
steps were heard and the woman entered. |
bearing his supper of greasy bacon and boiled |
Lominy.
Supper ended, Craddock Lit a cigar and |
went out into the pine grove. He knew that
nothing would be done before he slept, and |
he wanted to be where he could think calmly |
and clearly. Here certainly was peace and |
solitude. The moons silvery light made
plain his path, and the cool breeze famed his
heated brow. Peace and purity; pity that
mans baseness should mar the harmony of
nature.
1t was not pleasant thought that he was
miles from other human habitations in p
wilderness unknown to him, and in thi
place of all others. But he had a good re-.
volver, an ample supply of ammunition, am
4 brave heart. and having revolved the stu
alton in his mind he determined to let mat
'ers take their course, only keeping on the
alert and resolving to make desperate fight
when the crisis came. Scarcely he'd Grad
lock reached this conclusion than he was
'tartled by light step behind him, and fg-
are dArted behind q tree
Don't be skeere.l, mister; hits only Nan.
rhey'uns mustn't see me hyar, but I he'd to
zee ys agin. Ye must git outen this hyar,
sure! He's gone now fer the gang"
"Who is het' asked Craddock. A blush
l,<lt III. II n